Chapter 2: The J-Highschool Experience.

Takeo sighed in relief as the loud clanging sound of the bell echoed throughout the school. It was a weird one for sure, but it was welcoming and satisfying. As soon as that noise echoed throughout, a few students directly left Classroom (1-2), most likely off to find their friends. And then, the rest began to pour around Takeo as if he was some type of celebrity or something.

A barrage of questions and compliments began streaming out of their mouths as he turned about in wonderment. He hadn't really received this much attention in a while, after all.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

"Bread is life, right?"

"Your name is Takeo? Nice to meet you."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Who's your favorite celebrity?"

"Can you make muffins?"

"Do you like pop-music?"

"Your hot."

Takeo smiled once more, eyes filled with warmth and kindness as he began to rattle away with the rest of the students. It was obvious that he was a pretty likeable guy, and htat he would probably become pretty popular for the days to come.

While most of the students gathered around him, there were a few…. Less kindly folk who grumbled about in the corner of the classroom, their figures slouched and unkind. Of course, Takeo really didn't mind them, as he had many people to talk too at the moment.

After no less than ten minutes, he'd gotten everyone's names down, and was currently walking off to the school cafeteria, with a trail of curious and lovestruck students trailing behind, like a conga line of ducks.

Making his way through the halls, he finally found the cafeteria, which was located towards the back on the first floor. Quickly parting his long-stranded hair, Takeo sat down at a table bored. Immediately, around him, the Baking students began to crowd about.

The cafeteria was a large, particularly bland place, much like any other cafeteria around. There was the long streaming line of people at the counter, waiting for their somewhat unsavory meals, and a bunch of people squished at those square-ish tables.

Stretching out his arms gracefully, Takeo let loose a yawn, his feet tapping against the table's metal frame.

Behind him, a few girls were trying to flirt with him, teasingly smiling and whispering random things into his ears. The boys were also attempting to flatter him, exchanging small talk and such.

As he talked, Takeo's eyes noticed a few loners throughout the premises. They were all what one would normally say, "not up to standards". Some of them were obese and chubby, while others were gangly and seemingly "creepy". It was really sad…. This disparity. The webtoon truly exemplified this part, after all, it was called "Lookism"...

For Takeo, it didn't really matter how they looked. If they were nice people, who had similar likes and dislikes, he would get along with them just fine. It was the same for fighters. If there appearance and such was looked down upon by others, Takeo wouldn't really care, if they were reputable fighters, then he would respect them all the same.

But, if they were just ungrateful irritating slobs who were just jerks with unsavory inferiority complexities because they simply tried to be "cool" or something, Takeo would disdain them greatly.

The break went on and on, until the fifty-minute break had become a mere ten minutes, when out of nowhere, someone clapped there hands on his shoulders. It wasn't a malicious movement, so Takeo simply looked up, his milky-gold eyes a bit irritated.

"Heya~ So you're the one everyone is talking about along with the other transfer kid….." A sweet and laid-back feminine voice spoke out above him. Looking at the figure, Takeo slightly raised his eyebrows. He really wasn't going to lie. This woman was pretty hot.

Taller than most girls at the school, she was a beauty, with pale unblemished skin, that seemed to have a milky glow. She had a slim yet curvaceous hourglass figure, with quite the defining assets. She had a small face accented by her pencil-thin eyebrows and her large dark-blue eyes, not ot mention her wavy-soft hair, that had been bleached a white-blonde.

Her nose was small and sleek, and she was in no way inferior to any idol or model. Wearing a patterned blue skirt, alongside a oversized black hoodie, she could be said to be quite fashionable.

As soon as Takeo saw her, he knew who she was. The self-proclaimed Empress Of 2 Seconds, Mary Kim. Also, an extremely curious figure who was overly interested in many random things.

"Hm. That would be me. I'm Ishii Takeo." Reaching out Takeo shook her dainty yet strong fingers.

"I'm Mary Kim~" Putting her hand on her chest, Mary grinned, her hair

Takeo blushed a little but shook it away. She was both adorable, and hot at the same time. It was truly too much. Even if he was pretty mature for his age, teenage hormones were still a thing, even with being a "Third-Year". At times, it could be quite hindering….

Fortunately, Takeo was quite adept at representing gender equality when it came to people who pissed him off. He beat everyone up the same way. Unless they were from Sendai. He treated his "neighbors" somewhat differently.

Around him, the previously flirting girls began to bristle with jealousy as they watched the two of them talk. A few of the boys, began to discreetly leer, while the others turned away, trying to suppress their inner temptations, no doubt.

"So….. That sunglasses over there….. He seems to be glaring murderously at me. What's up with that?" Takeo nodded to the other side of the cafeteria, where a distinct muscular teen sat.

The guy was broad-shouldered, wearing some designer brand clothes, which included a white cap and a "stylish" black hoodie. A pair of tinted sunglasses covered his eyes, but the fierce heat and arrogance burning within were undeniable as he stared into Takeo's soul.

"Oh, don't mind him. He's just a friend of mine. Has a really dumb temper." Shrugging it off, Mary smirked at the sunglasses-wearing teen, who seemed to be glaring back.

"Seems like a very pleasant fellow, I'd say." Adjusting his ponytail nonchalantly, Takeo smiled.

"Yup, though…. He's sorta dumb too." Insulting her friend seemed to be quite natural to Mary, who rolled her eyes too absolutely no one in particular.

"That's too bad. He really seemed like a very inspiring and benevolent fellow at first glance." Drinking some water, Takeo put his hand on the table, eyes roaming over Mary's face.

She looked back down at him, letting loose a light, airy chuckle. "That's definitely what most people think of him at first sight."

They shared another laugh, before shaking hands once more as the bell rang.

"You know, I feel like we'll get along just well….."

"Yessir~"

From there on out, a beautiful friendship would bloom, to the misfortune of everyone around them.

Few Hours Later…

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The bell began to ring, causing all of the students to breathe in sighs of relief as they got up from their seats. Long schooldays like these had quite an impact on one's mental state. Most of the students would probably either head out with their friends, or just go home and relax. Homework would probably be stuffed in late into the nights.

Hopping off from his chair, Takeo waved goodbye to his classmates, before weaving in through the crowd as he exited the building. Above, the sky was turning dimmer and darker, and the sun was a deep orange. The sound of cars honking and rattling across the pavement filled his ears, and another flock of pigeons flew low overhead. Classic city life.

As he exited towards the gate, Takeo became the center of attention among everyone around. They stared and pointed, gaped and despaired. A few people took pictures, while a girl literally began to drool.

Honestly, it was sort of euphoric, watching other people admire him. Takeo liked being the star of the show, and at the moment, he somewhat was. The rest of school had been quite interesting.

While there were some boring and mostly unessential classes, such as English, the Baking Department also had many good classes too. There were Pastry Arts, Gastronomical Theory, and so on. Lunch had been rather uneventful, but he'd had a good time talking and making new friends.

Despite all of this, he hadn't yet seen the other new transfer student. The infamous Daniel Park, the main character of Lookism, and at times, an extremely irritating wimp. While he had heard rumors and talk about the guy, most of the time, everyone around him was just chatting about bread or attempting to compliment him to death. Everyone apparently wanted to get on his good side, and talking about the other transfer student didn't seem to be a way to do so.

Soon, a crowd had formed loosely around as they stared and goggled, whispering and rambling. Exiting across the grassy field in front of the school, he quickly weaved through the busy student crowd, slipping through alleyways.

Ducking under a dripping air conditioner, Takeo rounded a bend, stepping out into the busy streets once again. He'd diverged from the mainstream of students and was now on his way to a local greasy spoon. As an avid foodie, he'd quickly found many places of interest with decent food.

Strolling down the road, he straightened out his uniform. While it could be somewhat hindering, he'd be able to make do with it when he got into a fight. Takeo knew that he would indeed get into a fight sometime soon. Perhaps one that he himself would instigate, or some other random.